Foldable partition

ABSTRACT

A three-section portable partition has identically shaped vertical posts formed with continuous slots for adjustably mounting appurtenances and also to provide a unique interlock with transverse panels for exceptional panel rigidity. The partition sections are hinged at adjacent vertically extending edges and are pivotable relative to each other about the vertical hinge axes between a fully folded storage position with the planes of the sections approximately parallel to an extended or operative position with the section planes intersecting at equal angles. H-shaped transverse frame members interconnect with the posts such that a one-piece key is readily insertable into and is hidden within the upwardly opening recesses of the top transverse members to lock the sections in the operative position. Lockable casters on the outside posts provide three-point support for the unfolded partition and a fourth caster on one of the inner posts is elevated slightly above the plane of the other three to give support when the partition is folded.

D United States Patent 3,565,152

[72] Inventors Harry CohmJr. 3,239,873 3/1966 Fisher l6/35 PortolaValley; 3,261,625 7/1966 Cripe 52/239 Arthur W. Le Gene, O William3,289,368 12/1966 Mark 52/239 PapscmPoflolfl Vall y, C 3,319,801 /1967Nordstrum 160/135 [21] Appl. No. 755,295 3,425,171 2/1969 Propst etal..... 52/36 [22] Filed Aug. 26, 1968 3,463,218 8/1969 Cannon et a]160/351 [45] Patented Feb. 23, 1971 Primar y Exammer-Peter M. Caun [73]Asslgnee Paps) Bulldmg Products Attorney-John F. Lawler [54] FOLDABLEPARTITION ABSTRACT: A three-section portable partition has identi- 13Claims, Drawing Figs cally shaped vertical posts formed with continuousslots for ad ustably mounting appurtenances and also to provide a [52]US. Cl 160/135, unique interlock h transverse panels for exceptionalpane] /125 160/351 rigidity. The partition sections are hinged atadjacent verti- [51] ll!!- Cl. A47g 05/00 Cally extending edges and arepivotable relative to each other Flfld ol'Search 160/135, about thevertical hinge axes between a fully folded storage 351; 5 2/ 3391 1 582;position with the planes of the sections approximately parallel 2432452l1/(lnq"ed); /(Inqm red) to an extended or operative position withthe section planes 1752; 16/35; 40/125 (H), (Inqu'red) intersecting atequal angles. l-l-shaped transverse frame members interconnect with theposts such that a onepiece key is [56] References Clted readilyinsertable into and is hidden within the upwardly open- UNITED STATESPATENTS ing recesses of the top transverse members to lock the sections2,002,339 35 copeman 2 8/245 in the operative position. Lockable castersonthe outside 2,788,902 1957 NOWiCki 1 8/ 5 posts provide three-pointsupport for the unfolded partition 2,308,136 1957 Mammill e1 81- 2/ 4and a fourth caster on one of the inner posts is elevated 2,904,991 1959Vaughan 6! 52/242 slightly above the plane of the other three to givesupport 3,178,244 4/ 1965 Reiss et al 312/257 when the partition isfolded.

PATENH-iflnazaxsn 3.565152 8HEET2UF4,

INVENTORS HARRY COHN,JR. ARTHUR W. LEGETTE WILLIAM G. PAPSCO PATENTEBF5523 |97| SHEET 3 OF 4 WILLIAM G. PAPSCO HARRY COHN,JR. ARTHUR w.LEGETTE PATENTEn'riazamn "3.565.152

- sumuoFa- INVENTORS ARTHUR W. LEGETTE WILLIAM .G. PAPSCO HARRY COHN,JR.

FOLDABLE PARTITION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates toroom dividing partitions, and more particularly to an improvedthree-section foldable partition.

The efficient use of room space in schools, libraries, hospitals,auditoriums, gymnasiums, cafeterias and convention halls may be greatlyenchanced by the use of space dividing partitions. The utility of suchpartitions is measured by the ease with which they are stored, movedinto position and set up, their structural rigidity and stability in theunfolded or operative position, and the facility with whichappurtenances such as shelves, work tops and the like may be supportedon the structure. In addition, the partition should balance thesefunctional features with an eye-pleasing design which blends tastefullywith the decor of the room. Finally, structural simplicity is needed insuch partitionsto permit fabrication of low cost units that provide aneconomically equivalent alternative to permanent or semiperrnanent wallstructures.

1 l .A general object of the invention is the provision of afoldablepartition with a center caster shorter than casters at theextremities of the sections to provide two stable planes of sup port forthe unit in the foldedand unfolded positions, respectively.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION Each panel of a three-section partition isrigidly framed in and by interlocked vertical side posts and upper andlower transverse H-rnembers. Each post is a one-piece extrusion withcontinuous vertically extending lipped recesses on, opposite faces towhich outwardly projecting brackets are connectable and adjustable toselected elevations for supporting work tops, book shelves and similarappurtenances. The upwardly opening channel-shaped recesses of the topH-members intersect at the hinged sides of the opened or extendedsections and provide a receptacle for a one-piece key which looks thepanels relative to each other. The partition is supported on lockablecasters and may be arranged serially with other opened partitions todivide available space into a variety of sizes and configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apartition unit embodying the invention and shown in the openedoroperative position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same partition unit in the foldedposition; j

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of a panel showing the upper and lowerparts thereof; the section being taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the castermounting block in the post;

FIG. 5 is a top partial plan view partly in section of the extendedpartition, the view being taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the hinged end of one of thepartition sections, the view being taken on line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a se taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 5 showing the construction ofthe work top support bracket and its connection to the post;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is an end view of the bracket showing the bolt head shape, theview being taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

Still another object is the provision of'a three-section folda-DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A partition assembly 10 embodyingthe invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the unfolded and foldedpositions, respectively, and comprises three substantially identicalplanar sections 11, 12 and 13 which extend vertically from a supportingfloor surface S. The sections are interconnected at their inner ends byhinges l4 and 15 for pivotal movement relative to each other aboutvertical hinge axes A and B. The entire assembly 10 is readily movableover the surface S on casters 17 mounted at the outer extremities of thesections and on a central caster 18 mounted at the inner end of section13. Casters 17 preferably are lockable in order to prevent movement ofthe assembly when desired and have foot-actuatable locking levers 19 forthis purpose.

In order to rigidly lock the sections in the unfolded or operativeposition shown in FIG. 1, a star-shaped bar-type key 21 havingthree'fixed arms 21a is inserted out of view into corresponding recessesor passages in the tops of the three sections. Alternatively, asimilarly shaped channel-type key 23 may be disposed over the exteriorof the upper parts of the sections for the same purpose. In addition tofunctioning as a room divider, the partition-assembly may also carry awork top or shelf 25 which projects out from sections 12 and 13 as shownand is vertically adjustable supported thereon by brackets 26 asdescribed in detail below. It will be understood that otherappurtenances such as cabinets, book shelves, electronic voice equipmentand lighting fixtures may alsobe mounted on the partition sections, thework top 25 being merely exemplary of this feature of the assembly.

Sections 11, 12 and 13 are similar in construction and therefore thefollowing description will be directed primarily to section 13; likereference characters indicate like parts on the drawings.

Section 13 comprises vertical posts 28 and 29, horizontally extendingupper and lower transverse members 30 and 31, respectively, and a panel32 framed in the posts and transverse members. Post 28 extends belowmember 31 by a slightly greater distance than does inner post 29 andcasters I7 and 18, respectively, project equally from the lower ends ofthe posts. Thus the three casters 17 at the partition extremities are ina common plane below center caster 18 and support the posts 28perpendicular to the floor surface S when the partition sections areunfolded as shown in FIG. 1; caster 18 is spaced slightly above thefloor surface as shown in FIG. 6 when the assembly is opened. Uponfolding the sections into the position shown in FIG. 2, however, centercaster 18 engages the floor surface S and stabilizes support of thefolded assembly on the floor. The lower ends of inner posts 29 ofsections 11 and 12 are flush with the bottoms of lower members 31 and tothis extent section 13 differs from the other two.

Posts 28 and 29 are identically shaped preferably anodized aluminumextrusions, each having a generally channel-shaped cross section, seeFIGS. 4 and 5, with a plane end wall 34, sidewalls 35 and 36 formed withvertically extending outwardly opening channel-shaped recesses 37 and38, respectively, and coplanar spaced inner strips 39 and 40 oppositethe end wall. The space between the edges of strips 39 and 40 defines avertically extending opening 41 in the post. The portions of the postwhich extend above or below transverse members 30 and 31 may have plates42 which slidingly interlock with the edges of the strips and thereforecover those lengths of opening 41.

Panel 32 preferably is a laminar structure and comprises a woodlikecenter sheet 44 sandwiched between outer sheets 45 and 46 of compositionboard or tack board preferably having suitably textured and coloredexternal surfaces. The stiff centerboard gives structural rigidity tothe panel and the less dense decorative outer sheets provide alightweight acoustically impervious tack wall ideally suited for a roomdivider. Additionally, the dense center sheet 44 provides a suitablemeans to which frame securing screws may be firmly anchored. Thethickness of panel 32 is approximately the same as the width of postopening 41 and the narrowest internal spacing of post sidewalls 35 and36 so that each post is snugly telescoped over the outer edges of thepanel and is secured thereto by screws 47 which extend through thebackwalls of vertical recesses 37 and 38.

Upper and lower transverse members 30 and 31 are I-lshaped preferablyanodized aluminum extrusions, see FIG. 3, which extend snugly over theupper and lower edges, respectively, of panel 32 and are secured theretoby screws 49. End portions 50 and 51 of each member 30 and 31 extendinto outer and inner posts 28 and 29 through the vertical post openings41, see FIG. 5, and for this purpose members 30 and 31 are formed withvertical slots 52 into which the edges of post strips 39 and 40 extend.The panel frame" consisting of posts 28 and 29 tightly interlocked withtransverse members 30 and 31 thus has a border continuity which bothenhances the appearance and preserves the structure of the entire panelsection. The vertically extending legs 30a and 31a of members 30 and 31define the sides of channel-shaped passages 53 and 54 and have lippedends 30b and 31b designed to receive and slidingly interlock with acover plate 55 similar to plate 42 and indicated in broken lines onmember 31 in FIG. 4. Passage 53 in upper member 30 is a convenientreceptacle for receiving the legs of key 21 to lock the partitionsections open. Use of the interlocking cover plate 55 on lower member 31converts the latter into a convenient conduit for electrical cables andthe like if this service is desired or required. In order to accommodatethe one-piece locking key 21, U-shaped slots 56 are cut in the tops ofwalls 34 of inner posts 29.

Each of the casters 17 and 18 is securely mounted in the lower end of apost by a metal block 57, see FIG. 4, which fits snugly within andagainst the post walls and is secured thereto by screws 58.

Hinges l4 and are both secured to inner post 29 of section 13, see FIGS.5 and 6, and their other halves are connected to the inner posts ofsections 11 and 12, respectively. In other words, sections 11 and 12 arehinged to section 13. These hinges preferably are almost as long as theposts so as to insure stable pivotal connection of the sections free ofplay. The centrai caster 18 is secured within the lower end of innerpost 29 of partition 13 and, as shown in FIG. 6, is spaced slightlyabove the floor surface S when the partition is in the operative orunfolded state so that a very stable three-point support is provided bycasters 17.

While the partition is shown and described in the open position with theplanes of the sections intersecting at 120 and thus providing maximumstability to the unit, it will be understood that the sections may belocked open at other intersecting angles, for example, 90. When openedand with the casters locked, the partition is a stationary wall unit;several such wall units may be arranged in series to divide large areasinto a wide variety of shapes and sizes as desired. Storage of aplurality of partitions is convenient and compact by nesting units thathave been folded into a V-shaped configuration or the like.

Brackets 26 are uniquely designed to releasably interlock with posts 28and 29 so that work top or other accessories they support may beconveniently installed and adjusted to any desired height withoutdisturbing the basic partition setup. Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and10, bracket 26 comprises a one-piece member 59 having a T-shapedtransverse section (FIG. 8) and having a horizontal top plate 60 and avertical brace 61 connected at and integral with a hub 62. A bore 63 inhub 62 receives an elongated bolt 65 having a T-shaped head 66, see FIG.10, abutting the outer edge of member 59, the bolt being threaded at theopposite end to receive a nut 68 which'fits into vertical recess 37 or38 of the posts. Nut 68 is designed to fit long ways into recess 37 asshown in broken lines in FIG. 9, and when rotated 90 to lock behind lips37a (or 38a). The profile of the nut is substantially a parallelogram asshown with a length slightly greater than the width of recess 37 so tolimit rotation of the nut to 90 in one direction (clockwise as shown inFIG. 9) and thus facilitate tightening of the bolt.

The underside 61a of brace 61 slants downwardly from the outer extremityto a rear edge 61b of substantial length which abuts against the innerwall of post recess 37. The inner or rear edge 60a of top plate 60engages the outer surface of the post sidewall and clamps against thepost when the bolt and nut are tightened. The work top 25 is secured byany suitable means to bracket plate 605 Bracket 26 may be clamped to asmany posts as desired or required for the particular application. Thebracket is installed simply by inserting nut 68 into the post recess androtating bolt head 66 to rotate the nut and tighten the bolt. Similarlythe bracket is loosened by the reverse operation, moved to a differentheight as desired, and retightened without disconnecting the bracketfrom the post.

We claim:

1. A foldable partition adapted to stand vertically on a supportingsurface and having a plurality of plane sections pivotablyinterconnected at adjacent vertical edges for relative movement betweena folded position with the sections adjacent each other and an unfoldedposition with the sections angularly displaced from each other, each ofsaid sections comprising:

a panel;

inner and outer vertically extending posts telescoped over the sideedges of said panel;

upper and lower transverse members secured at opposite ends to saidposts and telescoped over the upper and lower edges, respectively, ofsaid panel, said upper member having an upwardly opening passagetraversing at least part of the upper end of the inner post;

means for securing said posts and said members to said panel, each ofsaid posts having at least one vertically extending recess on the sameside of the panel, and a caster secured to and projecting below thelower end of the outer post engageable with said supporting surface;

a caster secured to the lower end of the inner post of one of saidsections; and

means for locking said sections in the unfolded position comprising akey having legs adapted to be disposed in the vertical planes of andintersecting at the desired angular displacement of said sections in theunfolded position and alignable with the inner posts and engageable withsaid upper members to limit relative pivotal movement of said sections.

2. The partition according to claim 1 in which said passages are open attheir ends adjacent to the respective inner posts, said key being aone-piece bar-type element insertable into said passages.

3. The partition according to claim 1 in which each of said postscomprises a one-piece extrusion having a generally U- shaped crosssection with a plane end wall and opposing sidewalls and spaced stripsopposite said end wall,

said sidewalls having opposed inwardly extending channelshaped portionsdefining said vertical recesses,

the space between said strips being approximately equal to the thicknessof said panel whereby the latter extends into the post between saidstrips.

4. The partition according to claim 3 in which the space between saidinwardly extending portions of the side walls is approximately equal tothe panel thickness, and

securing means extending through the inwardly extending sidewallportions into said panel.

5. The partition according to claim 3 in which said strips have lippededges, and plates adapted to be disposed between said strips on parts ofthe post above and below said panel, said plates having interlockingengagement with said strip edges.

6. The partition according to claim 3 in which each of said transversemembers is H-shaped in cross section and has outwardly extending legsdefining said passage, the ends of said members extending into saidouter and inner posts between the strips thereof, said members havingslots therein for receiving the edges of said strips.

7. The partition according to claim 1 in which said panel is a laminarstructure having a rigid centerboard and porous outer boards, saidsecuring means comprising screws extending through the walls of saidposts and of said members into said centerboard. v

8. The partition according to claim 1 in which the outer post extendsvertically from its junctions with said transverse members and the upperend of the inner post is flush with the upper member, the end wall ofsaid inner post having an upwardly opening slot therein aligned withsaid passage in the upper member and dimensioned to receive a leg ofsaid key.

9. The partition according to claim 1 in which each post has a pair oflips defining the opening of the vertical recess therein, in combinationwith a bracket adapted to be secured to each of said posts, said brackethaving support plate and a brace member integrally joined in a T-shapedcross-sectional configuration, the junction of the plate and bracemember having a longitudinal bore therethrough, an elongated boltextending through said bore and projecting therefrom for insertion intosaid vertically extending recess of the post, and a nut disposablewithin said post recess and threadedly engageable with said bolt wherebyto clamp said plate and brace element against the sidewall of the postwhen said bolt is tightened.

10. The partition according to claim 11 in which a rear edge of saidbrace member abuts said post within said vertical recess and a loweredge thereof inclines upwardly toward convergence with said plate in adirection outwardly from the post. I a

11. The partition according to claim 10 in which said nut has aparallelogram-shaped profilev with a height less than spacing of thelips of the recess whereby the bracket is clampable to and unclampablefrom the post at any selected height.

12. The partition according to claim 1 with at least three of saidsections, said caster on the inner post being spaced slightly above saidsupporting surface when said sections are in the unfolded position.

13. The partition according to. claim 1 with accessory supportingbracket means insertable into said vertical recesses and releasablyinterlockable with said posts at selected elevations therealong.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,565,152 Dated February 23, 1971 Inventor(s) Harry Cohn,Jr., Arthur W.LeGetfie and William G. 1

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 69, "se" should read --section--.

Claim 10, line 1, "11" should be --9-.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting' Officer Commissionerof Pete

1. A foldable partition adapted to stand vertically on a supportingsurface and having a plurality of plane sections pivotablyinterconnected at adjacent vertical edges for relative movement betweena folded position with the sections adjacent each other and an unfoldedposition with the sections angularly displaced from each other, each ofsaid sections comprising: a panel; inner and outer vertically extendingposts telescoped over the side edges of said panel; upper and lowertransverse members secured at opposite ends to said posts and telescopedover the upper and lower edges, respectively, of said panel, said uppermember having an upwardly opening passage traversing at least part ofthe upper end of the inner post; meaNs for securing said posts and saidmembers to said panel, each of said posts having at least one verticallyextending recess on the same side of the panel, and a caster secured toand projecting below the lower end of the outer post engageable withsaid supporting surface; a caster secured to the lower end of the innerpost of one of said sections; and means for locking said sections in theunfolded position comprising a key having legs adapted to be disposed inthe vertical planes of and intersecting at the desired angulardisplacement of said sections in the unfolded position and alignablewith the inner posts and engageable with said upper members to limitrelative pivotal movement of said sections.
 2. The partition accordingto claim 1 in which said passages are open at their ends adjacent to therespective inner posts, said key being a one-piece bar-type elementinsertable into said passages.
 3. The partition according to claim 1 inwhich each of said posts comprises a one-piece extrusion having agenerally U-shaped cross section with a plane end wall and opposingsidewalls and spaced strips opposite said end wall, said sidewallshaving opposed inwardly extending channel-shaped portions defining saidvertical recesses, the space between said strips being approximatelyequal to the thickness of said panel whereby the latter extends into thepost between said strips.
 4. The partition according to claim 3 in whichthe space between said inwardly extending portions of the side walls isapproximately equal to the panel thickness, and securing means extendingthrough the inwardly extending sidewall portions into said panel.
 5. Thepartition according to claim 3 in which said strips have lipped edges,and plates adapted to be disposed between said strips on parts of thepost above and below said panel, said plates having interlockingengagement with said strip edges.
 6. The partition according to claim 3in which each of said transverse members is H-shaped in cross sectionand has outwardly extending legs defining said passage, the ends of saidmembers extending into said outer and inner posts between the stripsthereof, said members having slots therein for receiving the edges ofsaid strips.
 7. The partition according to claim 1 in which said panelis a laminar structure having a rigid centerboard and porous outerboards, said securing means comprising screws extending through thewalls of said posts and of said members into said centerboard.
 8. Thepartition according to claim 1 in which the outer post extendsvertically from its junctions with said transverse members and the upperend of the inner post is flush with the upper member, the end wall ofsaid inner post having an upwardly opening slot therein aligned withsaid passage in the upper member and dimensioned to receive a leg ofsaid key.
 9. The partition according to claim 1 in which each post has apair of lips defining the opening of the vertical recess therein, incombination with a bracket adapted to be secured to each of said posts,said bracket having support plate and a brace member integrally joinedin a T-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the junction of the plateand brace member having a longitudinal bore therethrough, an elongatedbolt extending through said bore and projecting therefrom for insertioninto said vertically extending recess of the post, and a nut disposablewithin said post recess and threadedly engageable with said bolt wherebyto clamp said plate and brace element against the sidewall of the postwhen said bolt is tightened.
 10. The partition according to claim 11 inwhich a rear edge of said brace member abuts said post within saidvertical recess and a lower edge thereof inclines upwardly towardconvergence with said plate in a direction outwardly from the post. 11.The partition according to claim 10 in which said nut has aparallelogram-shaped profile with a height less than spacing of the lipsof the recess whereby The bracket is clampable to and unclampable fromthe post at any selected height.
 12. The partition according to claim 1with at least three of said sections, said caster on the inner postbeing spaced slightly above said supporting surface when said sectionsare in the unfolded position.
 13. The partition according to claim 1with accessory supporting bracket means insertable into said verticalrecesses and releasably interlockable with said posts at selectedelevations therealong.